Family Is Found (Sequel to Running Towards Home)

CHAPTER 11

SAM'S POV:

It's been two weeks since my birthday, and I've stayed true to my promise to Pony. I haven't taken off my necklace once except when I'm showering. Whenever I feel the black pit inside of me grow, I feel it around my neck and it calms me down. It reminds me of how much I am loved.

I have P.E. next, and I'm dreading it. I may be good at fighting, but I'm sure as hell not good at running. For some reason, however, in order to graduate high school we must suffer immense torture for an hour each day. I hate the teacher, Ms. Muldroe. She always sides with the socs, and always makes sure they have the upper hand.

I walk to the locker room and change into my P.E. uniform. The locker room is full of socs, all gossiping and giggling. It feels like my ears are bleeding. I just finish changing when someone elbows me. I look to see who did it, and of course it's Cherry Valance.

We head out to the track, and I see Pony with the rest of the boys. They start to run laps, and of course Pony pulls ahead. He comes in first every time. I'm watching him run until I hear the shrill voice of Ms. Muldroe. "Sam? Sam? Earth to Sam?" I look at her. "Yes, sorry." I say.

"Okay, once the boys are done, we're going to head over to the track and run some laps." she says. We wait a few more minutes until the boys are done, then head over to the track. We crowd in behind the line, and I wait until Ms. Muldroe shouts at us to go. Then I start running.

I fall behind, but not by much. I'm out of breath, but I keep running. I'm still near the center of the group when Cherry passes me and sticks out her foot to trip me. I fall down, and hear people laugh. I get back up, and start running again. I'm going to have a bad bruise on my knee later. The rest of the class is already far ahead, almost done with their lap.

I run as fast as I can, and when I finally get to the finish line, everyone is already done. Cherry is smirking at me. "Sam, you came in last. Do another lap." Ms. Muldroe says. "But, Cherry-" I start, but she cuts me off. "I don't have time for excuses. Get running." I scowl at Cherry, and she turns her back on me.

I run another lap, and my heart is beating like crazy. I'm out of breath and sweating. I hate running. I finally finish the lap, and I walk over to the rest of the class. They're all passing frisbees back and forth. I look for another person to partner with, but everyone is already together. Ms. Muldroe comes up to me.

"We have an uneven number today, so you will have to play in a group of three." She leads me over to a group of socs, and, just my luck, it's Cherry and her friends. Perfect. "Sam is going to be joining your group, okay?" Ms. Muldroe says. "Ok, Ms. Muldroe!" Cherry says, giving a big smile. All her teachers love her, and she has them all wrapped around her little finger.

As soon as Ms. Muldroe walks away, Cherry drops her smile. "Let's play." She says. She gets passed the frisbee from one of her friends, and she throws it as hard as she can, hitting me in the shins. It hurts, but I don't flinch. I can't let her have the satisfaction of seeing me in pain. She doesn't deserve that.

I pick it up, and I throw it to one of her friends, who catches it. We pass it around a few more times in silence, until Cherry chucks it again, as hard as she can, and nails me in the stomach. I double over a bit, and try to keep from groaning. Cherry has a good arm, I'll give her that. "Oops." Cherry says. I scowl at her.

I decided to get her back. I pickup the frisbee, and throw it at her as hard as I can. I don't mean to hit her in the face, but I do. She cries out in pain, and almost falls backward. Ms. Muldroe comes running over to her, and takes a look at her face. "What happened?" she asks.

"Sam threw the frisbee right at my face! I think she broke my nose!" Cherry whines. "It was an accident!" I say. "Oh please, you were aiming for me!" Cherry yells. Ms. Muldroe walks over to me. "Sam, go to the office. Now." she says. I don't even try to argue. Ms. Muldroe doesn't care. I head back into school, and start my walk to the principal's office. Great.